If you are looking for the perfect Christmas gift, look no further! I absolutely adore these animals. I love simplicity combined with talent. Where can you get these fabulous creatures?... at Zazu Faure's Etsy shop!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Zazu Faure, zfla
If you are looking for the perfect Christmas gift, look no further! I absolutely adore these animals. I love simplicity combined with talent. Where can you get these fabulous creatures?... at Zazu Faure's Etsy shop!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
4pippi
Speaking of adorable slippers... have you seen 4pippi's Etsy shop? If you haven't, you should. I bought a pair of slippers from her last year, and we love them! They are affordable, very well made, and last a long time. Though my son has gone up 2 shoe sizes since last year, the slippers still fit, and he likes to wear them (that's saying a lot these days)! These would make a fantastic present for any little ones on your Christmas list! Aren't they cute?
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Elf slippers tutorial
I ran across this and just had to post it. I don't think I have the sewing skills to tackle these, but they are fantastic! I found these on Mayamade blog, and I highly recommend checking out her fabulous blog (i'm following it now!). The following is copied/pasted from her blog:
I've wanted a pair of elf slippers ever since I can remember. When I missed my window, I thought I would make some for my son. Missed that window, too! He says "no way" to elf feet at ten years old. Can't blame him. When I made my daughter's toadstool slippers last month, they seemed to fall into that gnome/fairy category... but not quite elf. Maybe I made them too small subconsciously? Not sure, but I couldn't wait to make my own pattern, this time. I wanted that quintessential curled up toe look.
We love them!
When you make your own patterns, it's always nice to do a trial run through with an inexpensive fabric... just to check your fit. With clothing, I've used muslin. For these slippers, I tried a scrap of cotton batting. It behaves exactly like felt and helped me make the perfect size and shape!!
I can't believe what a wonderful resource it is. I'm loving batting for all of its unexpected uses.
Here's a tutorial for making your own wool slippers from repurposed felted sweaters:
Creating the pattern is the first step. I'm not including a pdf, but will gladly make one if I get enough requests. Instead, I will give you the measurements for a 4-6 year old and instructions for how to make any size. That's right, I could still make myself a pair. You'll be the first to know if I do!
Draw measurements onto an 8x11 sheet of paper. Use my numbers as guides. Make the sole by tracing your child's foot. If your child's foot is smaller, you'll need to reduce the length of the slipper sides by subtracting from the heel side. The opposite advice for a larger foot. The important thing to remember is that each side must ease around the sole and match evenly at the center of the toe and heel. You can check the sizing by sewing up a quick sample out of batting and trying it on. They should be a bit roomy because the actual slipper is made out of two layers of thick wool.
Materials
felted wool sweaters or blankets
cotton batting
thread
scissors
pins
paper
pencil
ruler
- You will need a total of 8 sides and 4 soles to make a pair of slippers. Try to cut with all pieces having the weave of the sweater going in the same direction.
-Pin all of your pieces together right side in, wrong side facing out. If you click on this next photo you'll see that the sweater pieces look inside out.
Assembling the slipper sounds far more complicated than it really is. It goes rather quickly, you'll be surprised. Use the numbers on the photo for reference and sew the outside and liner at the same time. They are identical with the exception of 3b. Use a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
1. sew up the top front seam.
2. sew up the toe seam.
3a. determine which side will be the outside and sew up the heel seam.
3b. sew up the heel of the liner keeping 1 1/2 inches unstitched in the center for "turning". See photo above.
4. Attach sole to slipper sides making sure that the front and back seams stay centered at toe and heel. I would recommend pinning at this stage, but it's not necessary if you're fairly brave and have measured accurately. Remember to keep all of the right sides facing in.
Now, it's starting to look like something!
-Sew together around the open top of the slipper. That's right, sew them closed! It should look like this:
-Now, all that's left is the turning of your slipper to the right side. Gently pull both slipper pieces through the opening in the heel. Poke the pointy toes out and into shape with a pencil eraser. Arrange the liner inside the slipper and sew up the opening with needle and thread.
I embellished these with little dots cut from a contrasting sweater. You can add your own touch with needle felting, embroidery, buttons, etc.
These are so soft and warm, but slippery too. I plan on putting some anti-skid dots on the bottom. I might try some recycled suede. If you want to make them more secure on wild dancing feet, simply slit holes through both layers around the ankle and weave a ribbon through for a tie... like these. Felted wool won't fray, so this is easy. Please, let me know if you have any questions. I'd also love to see yours, if you make a pair.
[Please direct any questions to Mayamade. I have only copied/pasted this tutorial]
I've wanted a pair of elf slippers ever since I can remember. When I missed my window, I thought I would make some for my son. Missed that window, too! He says "no way" to elf feet at ten years old. Can't blame him. When I made my daughter's toadstool slippers last month, they seemed to fall into that gnome/fairy category... but not quite elf. Maybe I made them too small subconsciously? Not sure, but I couldn't wait to make my own pattern, this time. I wanted that quintessential curled up toe look.
We love them!
I can't believe what a wonderful resource it is. I'm loving batting for all of its unexpected uses.Here's a tutorial for making your own wool slippers from repurposed felted sweaters:
Creating the pattern is the first step. I'm not including a pdf, but will gladly make one if I get enough requests. Instead, I will give you the measurements for a 4-6 year old and instructions for how to make any size. That's right, I could still make myself a pair. You'll be the first to know if I do!
Pattern
Draw measurements onto an 8x11 sheet of paper. Use my numbers as guides. Make the sole by tracing your child's foot. If your child's foot is smaller, you'll need to reduce the length of the slipper sides by subtracting from the heel side. The opposite advice for a larger foot. The important thing to remember is that each side must ease around the sole and match evenly at the center of the toe and heel. You can check the sizing by sewing up a quick sample out of batting and trying it on. They should be a bit roomy because the actual slipper is made out of two layers of thick wool.
Materials
cotton batting
thread
scissors
pins
paper
pencil
ruler
Make
- Cut out pattern
-Pin pattern to sweater and cut out pieces to get the most of your sweater. I tried different placements until I found just the right spots for cutting.
-Pin pattern to sweater and cut out pieces to get the most of your sweater. I tried different placements until I found just the right spots for cutting.
- You will need a total of 8 sides and 4 soles to make a pair of slippers. Try to cut with all pieces having the weave of the sweater going in the same direction.
-Pin all of your pieces together right side in, wrong side facing out. If you click on this next photo you'll see that the sweater pieces look inside out.
Assembling the slipper sounds far more complicated than it really is. It goes rather quickly, you'll be surprised. Use the numbers on the photo for reference and sew the outside and liner at the same time. They are identical with the exception of 3b. Use a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
1. sew up the top front seam.2. sew up the toe seam.
3a. determine which side will be the outside and sew up the heel seam.
3b. sew up the heel of the liner keeping 1 1/2 inches unstitched in the center for "turning". See photo above.
4. Attach sole to slipper sides making sure that the front and back seams stay centered at toe and heel. I would recommend pinning at this stage, but it's not necessary if you're fairly brave and have measured accurately. Remember to keep all of the right sides facing in.
Now, it's starting to look like something!
-Sew together around the open top of the slipper. That's right, sew them closed! It should look like this:
-Now, all that's left is the turning of your slipper to the right side. Gently pull both slipper pieces through the opening in the heel. Poke the pointy toes out and into shape with a pencil eraser. Arrange the liner inside the slipper and sew up the opening with needle and thread.
I embellished these with little dots cut from a contrasting sweater. You can add your own touch with needle felting, embroidery, buttons, etc.
These are so soft and warm, but slippery too. I plan on putting some anti-skid dots on the bottom. I might try some recycled suede. If you want to make them more secure on wild dancing feet, simply slit holes through both layers around the ankle and weave a ribbon through for a tie... like these. Felted wool won't fray, so this is easy. Please, let me know if you have any questions. I'd also love to see yours, if you make a pair.[Please direct any questions to Mayamade. I have only copied/pasted this tutorial]
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Looploft
If you didn't find your perfect stocking yet, you will at Looploft's Etsy shop! While you are there, you can complete some of your Christmas shopping with fun recycled wool scarves, softies, and blankets!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Prairie Path
Getting ready for Christmas? I am!! If you haven't got your stockings yet, you should check out Prairie Path's Etsy shop! In addition to the wide selection of beautiful heirloom quality stockings, she has adorable Slowpoke Turtles, Slowpoke Turtle mobiles, baby mittens, and more! She offers free worldwide shipping on top of her already low prices, so head on over!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sweater Sunday
It's Sweater Sunday, and what a humdinger of a Sweater Sunday it was! I got a ton of sweaters... 82 to be exact. Ready? Here's the haul...
... with some great patterns...
... a gorgeous froggable...
... a bunch of cashmere...
.... and a fun patterned wool blanket.
Now THAT is a Sweater Sunday!
... with some great patterns...
... a gorgeous froggable...
... a bunch of cashmere...
.... and a fun patterned wool blanket.
Now THAT is a Sweater Sunday!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Recycled wool book list
Ok, here's that list I was talking about yesterday. These are in no particular order. Please let me know if you know of one that is not on this list & i'll add it. Most, if not all of these books can be found on Amazon.com.
Recycled wool books:
- Sweater Surgery: How to Make New Things with Old Sweaters, by Stefanie Girard
- The Sweater Chop Shop, by Crispina ffrench
- Felt it! Stitch it! Fabulous!, by Katheryn Tidwell Bieber
- Felted Wool Fashions: Making New Styles from Old Knits, by Vivian Peritts
- Sweater Renewal: Felting Knits into New Sweaters and Accessories by Sharon Franco Rothschild
- Warm Fuzzies, by Betz White
- Sewing Green, by Betz White
- Wool Felting Workshop, by Vivian Peritts
- The Art of Chopping Up a Sweater, by Anna-Stina Linden Ivarsson
eta: I have added a Swagbucks clickable box at the bottome of my right sidebar. Swagbucks is a new search engine (like using Google), and when you use it you randomly win "swagbucks"... points to redeem for stuff. When you have 45 swagbucks you can get a $5 Amazon.com gift card. I have won them already, and the Swagbucks add up fast! If you click through the box on my blog it will give me matching Swagbucks that you win, so lets earn us some Swagbucks together, and we can get some of these books!
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